Canadian Man To Run Calgary Marathon Wearing Lacrosse Gear

A Canadian runner is about to embark on a bizarre attempt: He’s going to try to run the Calgary Marathon while decked out in lacrosse gear.

Martin Parnell ran 250 marathons (yes, 250) in 2010 and raised $320,000 for charity. And he’s also completed seven of 10 endurance events that he has planned (also a charity endeavor).

So running 26.2 miles in a lacrosse uniform, including pads, a helmet and even a stick, doesn’t seem all that difficult for the 57-year-old.

If Parnell finishes Sunday’s race in less than 4 hours, he’ll set a Guinness world record. But he cannot remove any pieces of his uniform — including the helmet.

“With all due respect to all the other runners, I’m hoping for snow on Sunday,” Parnell told the Calgary Herald. “With that helmet on, it’s a tough go. It’s like a slow cooker for my brain under there.

“I have to keep the whole thing on — shoulder pads, gloves, jersey, helmet and stick. I think I can finish OK but to break [the time limit] I’m not sure.”

Parnell’s goal is to raise $10,000 for the Right to Play charity, one of 60 groups people can donate money to on the race website.

Jason Devaney

Jason Devaney is a freelance contributor to all of the Competitor Group brands. When he's not sitting at his computer working, he's usually out doing one of three things: Swimming, biking, or running. A resident of Virginia, Jason ran his first marathon in 2011.